Academic Staff: Mid-Career Award

Recipients of the L&S Academic Staff Mid-Career Award must have 8 or more years’ (including the current year) experience as outstanding leaders with substantial professional competency and the promise of continuing contributions.

2023 Recipients

Photo of Brian Esselman

Brian Esselman
Distinguished Associate Director, Organic Chemistry Lab
Department of Chemistry

In addition to his work as an Associate Director of Organic Chemistry Laboratories, Dr. Brian Esselman is also a young leader in the field of high-resolution molecular spectroscopy, a nationally recognized speaker and presenter, and the lead author on nine papers since graduating with his PhD from UW in 2012. He also finds time to support his colleagues and share his work with other educators.

“Brian understands how to motivate his team members to bring out the best in us by modeling effective teaching techniques, listening to our concerns, providing useful feedback, and suggesting resources for growth,” said Liana Lamont, an Instructor and Course Coordinator with the chemistry department.

Esselman’s unique approach to teaching has made him a popular professor among undergraduate chemistry students. Using phenomena-focused curricular materials, including problem sets, discussion activities, and laboratory exercises, he integrates leading-edge computational models to help students understand the reality of chemical systems. Challenging students to explain, predict and/or model chemical phenomena, Esselman has created a greater commitment to student engagement in “doing science,” rather than just memorizing it.

“The phenomena-focused curricular materials Brian creates are among the most authentic and comprehensive that exist anywhere in the world,” said Ryan Stowe, an assistant professor of chemistry. “He is confident that our students are capable of engaging with real phenomena as scientists and creates a learning environment that empowers them to do so.”

Esselman has been recognized for his work in transforming course curriculum in chemical education in numerous publications. His contributions, such as updating curriculum design and delivery, allowing students to perform research-level CMM assignments on their own schedule, and restructuring the training program for new TAs, have yielded substantial advances at UW–Madison. Esselman also collaborates with other educators, including other chemistry departments in the UW System, community colleges and high schools to improve computational chemistry resources and effective use of technology in the classroom.

“Brian freely shares his experience and expertise in teaching and makes available all his course materials,” said Nicholas J. Hill, the Director of Organic Chemistry Laboratories. “His ongoing involvement in scientific and educational research and community-of-practice engagement will drive our undergraduate program to further national recognition, and thousands of students will benefit from his continued investment every semester.”

Photo of Seth McGee

Seth McGee
Specialist II
BioCore, Teaching, Learning, and Technology

In 2002, Seth McGee was hired by UW–Madison’s BioCore to be a Laboratory Instructor and Lab Manager. Jeff Hardin, Raymond E. Keller Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology, calls the decision to hire McGee a “game changer.”

On paper, McGee’s core job description is straightforward: to support BioCore lab instruction across three semesters. In practice, however, this job description merely scratches the surface of McGee’s contributions to BioCore’s teaching mission.

McGee’s colleagues and students note his above-and-beyond attitude and recall ways that he has expanded the boundaries of innovation in the lab, such as developing a user-friendly, independent protocol that allows students to take high-resolution photos of microscopic structures, moving lab equipment to his own home to collect data for every cell biology lab student during the pandemic, and devising a new supernatant aspiration system that allowed cell biology students to use less water during a key step in their research.

“Seth is one of the most creative scientists I’ve ever met,” said Michelle A. Harris, PhD Emeritus Teaching Faculty.He has a knack for finding innovative ways to use our BioCore resources and equipment to make our lab instruction more efficient and supportive of student learning.”

BioCore’s inquiry-based science curriculum requires students to ask their own research questions and devise logical hypotheses based on reliable literature. Students then design, carry out, summarize, and communicate their independent research multiple times over several semesters, with the help of BioCore lab instructors to facilitate this authentic inquiry process. As a mentor and instructor, McGee is recognized for his innovation and thoughtful intervention at every step of the process.

“Seth inspired us to pursue our wonder through questions every day in class and follow our own curiosity down unique paths to understanding,” said William Vuyk, who had McGee as an instructor in 2019. “In his teaching, mentorship, research, outreach and educational practice, Seth embodies a hands-on exploratory approach.”

McGee’s innovation and contributions are not confined to the classroom, however. He has been an essential part of outreach programs to nearby rural communities. Along with his work at the BioCore Prairie, a 12-plus acre research prairie, on which Hardin notes that “his ability to perform controlled burns is frankly legendary,” McGee has also partnered with the BioCore Outreach Ambassadors to enrich science education in local K12 school communities.

Photo of Lisa Klein Vogel

Lisa Klein Vogel
Scientist II
Institute for Research on Poverty

As the Scientist II at the Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP), Dr. Lisa Klein Vogel juggles a multitude of responsibilities. In addition to designing and implementing research studies that aim to inform policy and practice related to child and family well-being, Vogel effectively communicates her findings to a variety of audiences and acts as a mentor and supervisor to graduate students. In addition, she serves as the project manager of the Child Support Policy Research Agreement between the IRP and the state of Wisconsin’s Department of Children and Families, where she coordinates day-to-day logistics of a $5 million agreement that involves roughly 15 unique research projects. Vogel is regarded by her colleagues as one of the most reliable co-workers they have ever had.

“Lisa is the rare person who simply never drops any balls — and whose tactful intervention ensures that other people drop far fewer than we would otherwise,” said Judi Bartfield, the Meta Schroeder Beckner Outreach Professor at the School of Human Ecology.

Vogel’s extensive research experience makes her an invaluable member of the team at IRP, where the outcomes directly affect low-income families and the service providers who work with them.

“She is a highly skilled researcher whose expertise in qualitative and survey work is in high demand on campus and at the national level,” said IRP Associate Director Hilary Shager. “Her work is in constant service to the Wisconsin Idea, supporting evidence-based policymaking and helping to improve the lives of some of the state’s and nation’s most vulnerable families.”

While Vogel makes an impact with her research, her commitment to connection is impressive, as well. Along with her professionalism comes a great deal of empathy for the barriers faced by participants in the programs with which she works, and an understanding of how her research and relationships can make a difference in their lives.

Vogel’s impact is evident in her research, as she is the author of 10 peer-reviewed publications and dozens of government reports. But her impact extends beyond her research and the families that it impacts, as she is also an effective and motivating mentor to graduate students. In a joint nomination letter, sociology doctorate candidates Alexis Dennis and Samina Hossain explained Vogel’s willingness to extend opportunities to others whenever she can.

“She is truly collaborative,” they wrote. “She often creates opportunities for greater input and learning to those she mentors through presentations and co-authorship opportunities. Working with and learning under Dr. Vogel’s guidance has provided us both with experiences that have challenged us, encouraged us, and supported us in ways that have shaped our academic and professional goals.”


All Recipients

2022-23

  • Brian Esselman, Organic Chemistry Lab, Distinguished Associate Director, Department of Chemistry
  • Seth McGee, Specialist II, BioCore, Teaching, Learning, and Technology
  • Lisa Klein Vogel, Scientist II, Institute for Research on Poverty

2021-22

  • Brooke Norsted, Assistant Museum Director, Department of Geoscience
  • Pete Pokrandt, User Support Specialist, Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences
  • Changjiu Zhao, Associate Scientist, Department of Integrative Biology

2020-21

  • Pamela Doolittle, Distinguished Faculty Associate/Analytical Lab Director, Department of Chemistry
  • Nazan Gillie, Instructional Program Manager, Department of Zoology
  • Michelle Harris, Distinguished Faculty Associate/Biocore Instructor

2019-20

  • Sterling Anderson, Senior Information Processing Consultant, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
  • Antje Petty, Senior Outreach Specialist, Max Kade Institute
  • Marie Trest, Assoc Faulty Assoc, Botany

2018-19

  • Rachel Bain, Instructional Technology Specialist, Department of Chemistry
  • Ilia Guzei, Distinguished Scientist, Director of Crystallography, Chemistry Instrumentation Center, Department of Chemistry
  • Sara Nagreen, IT Coordinator, Department of Mathematics

2017-18

  • Nick Hill, Director of the Undergraduate Organic Laboratory, Department of Chemistry
  • David Macasaet, Senior Information Processing Consultant, L&S Learning Support Services
  • Gabriele Meyer, Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematics
  • Laura Monahan, Senior Academic Curator, UW Zoological Museum, Department of Integrative Biology

2016-17

  • Nina Valeo Cooke, Department of Gender and Women’s Studies
  • Mark Wendt, Department of Chemistry
  • Arrietta Clauss, Department of Chemistry

2015-16

  • Araceli Alonso, Senior Lecturer, Department of Gender & Women’s Studies
  • Jeffrey Henriques, Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychology
  • Sharon Kahn, Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Geography
  • Dianna Murphy, Founding Associate Director, The Language Institute

2014-15

  • Brian Babler, Researcher, Department of Astronomy
  • Shirin Malekpour, Faculty Associate and Wisconsin Emerging Scholars Program Coordinator, Department of Mathematics
  • Debra Pierce, Faculty Associate, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

2013-14

  • David Black, Administrative Program Manager, School of Journalism & Mass Communication
  • Russell Dimond, Senior Information Processing Consultant, Social Science Research Services
  • Thomas Gorski, Instrument Innovator, Department of Physics
  • Ewa Miernowska, Senior Lecturer, Department of Slavic Languages and Literature

2012-13

  • Daniel Denhartog, Senior Scientist, Department of Physics
  • Jennifer Tishler, Associate Faculty Associate, Center for Russia, East Europe & Central Asia (CREECA)

2011-12

  • Tracy Drier, Senior Instrument Specialist, Department of Chemistry
  • Jim Maynard, Senior Instructional Specialist, Department of Chemistry

2010-11

  • Dana Longstreth, Associate Professor, Department of Communicative Disorders
  • Rob McClain, Faculty Associate, Department of Chemistry
  • Rachel Weiss, Assistant Director, Center for South Asia
  • Doug Worsham, Learning Support Services

2009-10

  • Brett Chapman, Senior Scientist, Department of Physics

2008-09

  • John Stevenson, Associate Director, Survey Center

2007-08

  • Dr. Scott Mellor, Academic Staff, Department of Scandinavian Studies
  • Dr. Ieva Reich, Academic Staff, Department of Chemistry

2006-07

  • Dr. Jeff Percival, Academic Staff, Department of Astronomy
  • Michelle Quinn, Academic Staff, Department of Communicative Disorders

2005-06

  • Gloria Mari-Beffa, Academic Staff, Department of Mathematics
  • Merritt Dietz, Academic Staff, Department of French and Italian
  • Paul Hanson, Academic Staff, Center for Limnology

2004-05

  • Nelly Halzen, Academic Staff, Department of French and Italian,
  • Matthew J. Sanders, Academic Staff, Department of Chemistry

2003-2004

  • Jane Perlmutter, School of Library and Information Studies
  • Rebecca Ryan, Cross-College Advising Services
  • Mary Jo Studenberg, Southeast Asian Studies

2001-2002

  • Bruno Browning, Learning Support Services
  • Anthony Jacob, Department of Chemistry
  • Jack Solock, Data and Information Services Center


Nominate an excellent mid-career staff member.

Please contact the PDRC for more information about the Academic Staff Awards.